The Indian board's main project for the year: pitch improvement © AFP Enlarge

The Indian board has tied up with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai to test soil from various centres, with a view to gaining some scientific knowledge about pitch preparation.

"There was a lot of criticism regarding pitches for sometime now. So, the BCCI has taken up the issue very seriously. It is our main project for the year," the Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty was quoted as saying in Mid-Day, a Mumbai-based tabloid.

"We have approached the Civil Engineering department of the IIT to get the soil tested. That's just the first phase. They will submit their findings in a few days. We are looking to have a long-term association with them.

However, Shetty said that this wouldn't result in a standardisation of pitches across the country. "As of now, we would like to acquire some scientific knowledge regarding preparation of pitches."

There's been a similar initiative in Pakistan as well: last month a local engineering university offered to help the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in its plans to lay fast and bouncy pitches across the country.